Soul Rescue (Angels of Mirabilia Gardens 1)

Angels of Mirabilia Gardens

She was rushing around her workshop looking for a wrench to tighten up a bolt on the pipe connection on her steam powered mobile. There was a meeting this morning at the Mirabilia Gardens with Regina, or Reg as we call her. There was a loud whistling sound erupting from the pipe now, " woooooooooooooooot!" The sound made Mae jump. "Thank goodness, there you are!," as she grabbed the wrench and ran to her mobile work of art. Mae was good with her hands, she was the daughter of an inventor after all. While other girls were learning how to sew and cook on the frontier Mae was in an old barn her father had turned into a workshop.

There were gadgets galore that filled the space. Her father's mind was way ahead of his time and that rubbed off on Mae. At 17, her wild red curls she'd inherited from her Celtic ancestors could be seen well before her approach. Bright sparkling green eyes and a soft blanket of freckles adorn the bridge of her nose. She preferred pants and a pinstripe button up shirt she got from her brother Gideon when he outgrew them. Her boots, not exactly made for a girl, were clunky but sturdy. Her father often heard her before he saw her. She wasn't opposed to dresses nor did she dislike them, they just didn't allow for the movement she needed. If her working goggles weren't bedecked upon her head, she usually tied a beautiful green bow given to her by her mam there to hold the copious fire off her face.

She's inquisitive and often bothered the towns folk with questions that made no sense to them but perfect sense to her. For instance, she questioned the stoker on the locomotive that came through town how the steam engine worked. "So the hotter the engine, the faster it goes eh? Could you minimize the scale of the boiler, pistons, and cylinder, to create a smaller traveling wagon?" People were left bewildered. Through trial and error, she designed a much smaller version that could be used to go from town to town instead of horses. She had a bright future ahead of her until the "sickness" struck her at such a tender age. "That should do it," she said with her slight Irish accent as she hopped in and sped off.

Mae was already running late when the bolt blew off and she just knew that Petra was going to be flustered when she got to her bungalow. Although time doesn't exist in the Angels Realm, it is still used in some areas since lower level angels still identify with earthly habits. It also helps with adjusting to their new existence. Mae was an "Earling" in the Realm. Earlings are those who transitioned to the heavens before the fullness of life and original sin taint their souls. They are placed in kinships with others like themselves, overseen by an angelic mentor who guides them. If she didn't get a move on it Reg, the kinships mentor, was going to get into a huff with her.

As Mae came barreling down the unpaved road, she could see Petra pacing in the front garden. If she hadn't been sure she was in Heaven itself, Mae would have thought she had landed smack in the middle of the 1920's. It's all part of The Transition. To make the shock of passing a bit easier, Earlings are first surrounded with an environment of familiarity; time, seasons. Mae was born in 1858 and Petra was born in 1911. Roaring into Petra's makeshift driveway, she hopped into a seat and gracefully turned her head and said to Mae, "You do realise we can fly, right?" "Well where's the fun in that?," she said, giggly. Petra rolled her beautiful blue eyes as she laughed and wrapped her platinum bob hair with a scarf. This may be heaven, but bad hair still happens.

Eighteen year old Petra Eloisa Russell had always had a aura of compassion about her. Her father owned many of the country's most popular theaters and a dozen secret speakeasies. She was definitely the black sheep of the family. She wanted nothing to do with the spotlight as a child, contrary to her sisters. Her beauty was widely known in social circles. A natural "toe-head" since birth, she cut into a stylish bob at 15. Her perfect porcelain skin and twinkling blue eyes brought many suitors to her front porch but father turned them away. She was kind and considerate of others. If she saw a person or animal in need, she would help. Her sisters called her a "sap," though she knew they never understood. Born into a family of socialites, Petra had to force herself into her family's world.

It was a humid summer night in 1929, her older sister Evelyn tricked her into going out. "Let's go for a chocolate soda. I'd do anything to cool off," Evelyn said with full dramatics. Petra knew her sister's intentions were anything but genuine, especially when they ended up at one of the family owned speakeasies. When the sisters walked through the back door of the joint, both felt the tension in the air. Loud "POP! POP! POP!" sounds rang out in the air like firecrackers. Petra never saw the bullet coming.

"This contraption is nothing like the jalopies I remember," Petra laughed. Mae grinned and reminded Petra of her only means of transportation during her time of existence. The kind you had to feed, brush, and clean up after daily. "Those we rode for fun Mae!" Both girls giggled even harder.

Mae and Petra were the first two Earlings placed in their kinship. Since time is relative and realms existed simultaneously, both Mae and Petra transitioned within days of each other. It brought comfort to have each other. Although Mae was aware of her passing, Petra's happened so quickly that she was confused when her eyes opened to such beauty, and not the inside of her father's office at the speakeasy.

As they approach Mirabilia Gardens Petra pointed out Jerry making his descent. Mae pulled a chain that blustered out a "Whoooop! whoop!," from the jalopy's horn. The sound knocked Jerry's concentration, causing him to swing his arms and legs off balance and his wings went all wonky. Mae's face immediately went as red as her hair and Petra let out a gasp. "That wasn't such a good idear!," Mae said embarrassingly. "You definitely balled up Mae," Petra said with a slight chuckle, "but I have a feeling that being the goof he is, Jerry is going to think it was a hoot."

Mae did her best to place her steam propulsion contraption where it wouldn't destroy the environment. It's massive size extends 14 feet long and is built from scraps of copper pipes and other metal knick knacks. Other Earlings merely watch in amazement as Mae bobbles, bumps, and bounces over the terrain instead of use her wings. Reg, on the other hand, prays that Mae finds a new idea to muck around with. One that doesn't make such loud "whoots" or carved out anymore of those "road" thingys.

Mirabilia Gardens was in metamorphosis of seasons. Autumn's rich cool colors started to take over. The trees that were once lush with jade, beryl, emeralds, and hunter greens were now changing to burnt oranges, yellows, magentas, purples, and browns. Summer flowers were now nestling into to the soil for a much needed sleep, while the ample chrysanthemums, asters, helenium, and countless more species of vegetation wakes to their turn. In the center of Mirabilia's majestic gardens stands a glass conservatory.

Waiting inside the capacious conservatory is Regina, Jerry, Eliza, and a girl they've never met before. Reg was smiling and talking to the unknown girl who looks nervous and overwhelmed. Whatever Reg was saying to her wasn't helping settle her nerves. Jerry was chasing Eliza around the open room. Eliza was only 8, and although she hadn't been assigned to a kinship she comes here because as she says in her little british voice, "It's jus right, it is!"

"Well, it looks as though we can finally get started," said Reg. As our mentor, Regina was responsible for our "training." She also brought in new angels to our kinship, which looks like she may be doing today. "Hello my Earlings! I'm sure you are all wondering why you were summoned this beautiful morning." Regina announced. "This is Beatrice,"she introduced as she held out her arm to encourage Beatrice step forward. "Bea, I'm Bea." she said quickly, looking a little embarrassed. Everyone welcomed her with big smiles and excitement. Bea let out a breath and a little smile.

Bea stood slightly more relaxed as everyone did their best to say their name and make her feel like she belonged. She has beautiful cocoa skin, gleaming hazel eyes, and the tiniest mole set just beneath the outer left eye. Her lips were beautifully pink buff and the dark crown of hair adorn her, made her beauty look effortless. She wore jeans that conformed to her silhouette and a cozy oversized sweater that matched her lips. Bea was 17, and an old soul. You could tell that she was comfortable in her own skin and that she made others feel the same way when around her.

"Now, I know you are all keen to get to know Bea and to show her around, but be mindful not to overwhelm her," voiced Regina. Bea was relieved to hear Regina ask the others to give her space. Questions, she was not ready for questions about her human life. All she wanted at that moment was to be by herself. Noticing the slight look of panic on her face, Jerry offered to accompany her to her bungalow. "That would be a wonderful idea Jerry! Regina said, elated. "Ah, there's just one problem with that," Bea said. "I'm not so good with the flying part of this afterlife." "That's ok. Neither is Jerry," said Petra as she and Mae burst into hysterics.